After many ups and downs, twists and turns, a fallow period during which I became very ill and then well again, I am delighted at last to be able to announce M/Others who Make’s six month programme of online workshops and peer support groups, open to all women* and non-binary people, alongside six episodes of a new podcast. Workshops, support groups and podcasts all explore a range of different identities and experiences, in relation to the theme of what it is to create, while also holding a caring role. There are groups here for those wondering how to care for themselves, as they explore if they can or wish to have children; those caring for older relatives or friends; people with blended families; people who have adopted; Deaf m/others; those who are pre and post-menopausal. The workshops will be led by our fabulous line up of artistic consultants, who include: Euella Jackson; Shagufta Iqbal; You-Ri Yamanaka; Rae Smith; Jenny Sealey and Stella Duffy.
I am also pleased to announce that these workshops and all future M/Others who Make activities will be brought to you under the care of Improbable. The company have been supporting me and the movement ever since MWM’s conception and birth, but they are finally going to adopt us. The company can’t give us any funds, so your support through membership, (you can sign up here!) is still invaluable, but they can give us a little more stability going forwards. Especially after my year in hospital, I did not feel able to continue running the movement as a freelancer, so I am very grateful to Improbable for being willing to enable us to sustain. I also want to thank Rachael Burton, who has produced this latest iteration of MWM, as it has grown into M/Others who Make, and who held the helm throughout my illness.
And finally, I would like to give my thanks and pay tribute, along with countless others, to Naomi Stadlen, author of ‘What Mothers Do, Especially When it Looks Like Nothing’ – the only book I read, as a new mother, which articulated and validated my experience, instead of telling me what I should be doing. Naomi died in early June, and I would like to dedicate this forthcoming programme of work to her memory. It was attending Naomi’s compassionate and revolutionary Mothers Talking circle in North London, which she held weekly for almost thirty years, that inspired me to start M/Others who Make, and she gave me her blessing to do so. She is the grandmother of this movement. Her commitment to giving voice to and holding space for the challenges, importance and subtleties of motherhood was transformational. I do not see my decision to move towards a more expansive and inclusive identity – to welcome Others, alongside Mothers – as being in conflict with Naomi’s visionary work, because what I want to facilitate is what she practiced throughout her life- listening, seeking deep understanding, welcoming open conversation. Naomi recognised that even the heteronormative role of ‘mother’ was othered and marginalised. Following on from her example, I want to look more closely at the many experiences within and beyond motherhood that pass for nothing and yet mean so much. So, thank you, with all my heart, to Naomi Stadlen.
I hope you will be able to join us, whomever is in your care, and whatever you are making, at a workshop, support group, or through a podcast, in the coming months.
Matilda
* Open to all women and non-binary people. We are and will always be inclusive of trans women.